Ducker v Smith

[2011] NSWCA 212

Court of Appeal

New South Wales

Case Title:

Ducker v Smith

Medium Neutral Citation:

[2011] NSWCA 212

Hearing Date(s):

15 April 2011

Decision Date:

27 July 2011

Jurisdiction:

Before:

Hodgson JA at [1]
McColl JA at [5]
Basten JA at [68]

Decision:

Appeal dismissed with costs
[Note: The Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 provide (Rule 36.11) that unless the Court otherwise orders, a judgment or order is taken to be entered when it is recorded in the Court's computerised court record system. Setting aside and variation of judgments or orders is dealt with by Rules 36.15, 36.16, 36.17 and 36.18. Parties should in particular note the time limit of fourteen days in Rule 36.16.]

Catchwords:

FAMILY LAW - de facto relationship - adjustment of property interests - s 20, Property (Relationships) Act 1984 (NSW)

FAMILY LAW - de facto relationship - evaluation of contributions of parties over 13 year period of cohabitation - relevance of initial contributions where real estate purchased partway through relationship - evaluation of non-financial contributions - discretion of trial judge to determine methodology when considering s 20 order - need to articulate findings and reasons for order - whether adjustment order just and equitable

FAMILY LAW - de facto relationship - departure of one co-owner from co-owned property - whether departed co-owner entitled to occupation fee

Legislation Cited:

Family Provision Act 1982 (NSW)
Property (Relationships) Act 1984 (NSW)

Cases Cited:

Baker v Towle [2008] NSWCA 73
Bilous v Mudaliar [2006] NSWCA 38; (2006) 65 NSWLR 615
Callow v Rupchev [2009] NSWCA 148; (2009) 14 BPR 27,533
Chanter v Catts [2005] NSWCA 411; (2005) 64 NSWLR 360
French v Barcham [2008] EWHC 1505 (Ch); [2009] 1 WLR 1124; [2009] 1 All ER 145
Golosky v Golosky [1993] NSWCA 111
Goodman v Windeyer [1980] HCA 31; (1980) 144 CLR 490
House v R [1936] HCA 40; (1936) 55 CLR 499
Howlett v Neilson [2005] NSWCA 149; (2005) 33 Fam L R 402
Manns v Kennedy [2007] NSWCA 217
Saric v Steward [2006] NSWCA 260; (2007) DFC 95,401
Singer v Berghouse [1994] HCA 40; (1994) 181 CLR 201

Texts Cited:

Category:

Principal judgment

Parties:

Alan Graham Ducker - Appellant
Janet Adele Smith - Respondent

Representation

- Counsel:

Mr E Finnane - Appellant
Ms D Reid - Respondent

- Solicitors:

Irene E Pickel - Appellant
Mitry Lawyers - Respondent

File number(s):

2010/269157

Decision Under Appeal

- Court / Tribunal:

- Before:

Tamberlin AJ

- Date of Decision:

14 May 2010

- Citation:

Ducker v Smith [2010] NSWSC 462

- Court File Number(s)

SC 2009/287699

Publication Restriction:

No

Judgment

1. HODGSON JA: I agree with the orders proposed by McColl JA and with her reasons. I would add the following comments.

1. I think it is desirable that, in Property (Relationships) Act cases, there generally be clear findings as to (1) the assets of the parties at the beginning of the relationship, at the end of the relationship, and at the time of…